Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to one or more particles that move within a container in response to a magnetic field. A measurement circuit is configured to output an indication of the magnetic field based on position of the one or more particles.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to particles that can move in response to a magnetic field. A system can include a container, particles within the container, and a magnetic structure integrated with the container. The magnetic structure can magnetically interact with both an external magnetic field and the particles. Related methods are disclosed including magnetic field detection methods based on detection of particles within a container.

Abstract: A burner for an appliance having a blower includes a tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end with radially extending openings along its length. A cap closes the outlet end in a fluid-tight manner. A mixing system downstream from the blower extends into the inlet end for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel to the interior of the tube for ignition by an igniter.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The tube defines a passage. Strips extend within the passage and are arranged about the centerline. Each strip includes a base and fins extending from opposite sides of the base such that flue gases from the burner flow from the first end to the second end of the outer tube and in channels between the fins.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A flow control device for an appliance including a burner and a blower for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and gas to the burner includes a flange defining an opening through which the pre-mixed mixture of air and gas flows from an outlet of the blower to the burner. A damper plate is provided in the opening downstream of the blower for increasing a static pressure at the outlet of the blower during ignition of the burner.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The tube defines a passage. Strips extend within the passage and are arranged about the centerline. Each strip includes a base and fins extending from opposite sides of the base such that flue gases from the burner flow from the first end to the second end of the outer tube and in channels between the fins.

Abstract: A flue collector box for a furnace having a cooling coil, a heat exchanger, and an inducer blower includes a housing having an interior chamber in fluid communication with the heat exchanger such that condensation generated in the heat exchanger flows to the interior chamber of the housing. A valve is connected to the housing and includes a pair of lips defining a fluid passage through the valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The lips have an open condition allowing condensation to exit the valve when the inducer blower is deactivated. The lips have a closed condition forcefully engaging one another when the inducer blower is activated to prevent condensation from exiting the valve.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending along a centerline from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube has fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that flames exiting adjacent fluid directing structures extend towards and impinge one another.

Abstract: An assembly for a water heater having a burner includes a tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. The first end includes a flared portion extending away from the centerline. A partition is provided downstream of the burner and includes an opening having a curved flange defining an opening for receiving the flared portion of the tube.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a water heater having a burner includes an outer tube extending longitudinally along a centerline from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end. Indentations are formed along the length of the outer tube and extend towards the centerline. An inner member extends through the outer tube and between the indentations such that flue gases from the burner flow in a passage between the inner member and the outer tube from the first end to the second end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A flue collector box for a furnace having a cooling coil, a heat exchanger, and an inducer blower includes a housing having an interior chamber in fluid communication with the heat exchanger such that condensation generated in the heat exchanger flows to the interior chamber of the housing. A valve is connected to the housing and includes a pair of lips defining a fluid passage through the valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The lips have an open condition allowing condensation to exit the valve when the inducer blower is deactivated. The lips have a closed condition forcefully engaging one another when the inducer blower is activated to prevent condensation from exiting the valve.

Abstract: A burner for use with an igniter for firing a flame into a heat-exchanger includes a body having a sidewall that defines an interior chamber. A first opening in the body receives a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel. A second opening in the body is in fluid communication with the first opening. A distributor is connected to the body and closes the second opening. The distributor includes a first portion and at least one curved second portion provided on the first portion. Each second portion includes a plurality of first perforations in fluid communication with the first opening in the body. The first perforations of one second portion are positioned adjacent to the igniter such that ignition of the pre-mix mixture flowing through the first perforations results in a flame through the second portion. A flange extends around the first portion and includes second perforations.

Abstract: A burner for use with an igniter for firing a flame into a heat-exchanger includes a body having a sidewall that defines an interior chamber. A first opening in the body receives a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel. A second opening in the body is in fluid communication with the first opening. A distributor connected to the body closes the second opening. The distributor includes a first portion and at least one curved second, portion provided on the first portion. Each second portion includes a plurality of first perforations in fluid communication with the first opening in the body. The first perforations of one second portion are positioned adjacent to the igniter such that ignition of the pre-mix mixture flowing through the first perforations results in a flame through the second portion.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and including a central passage and fluid directing structure for directing a mixture of air and combustible fuel radially through the tube. The fluid directing structure collectively defines a total flow area. A blocking member is axially movable within the central passage between a first condition blocking a first percentage of the total flow area and a second condition blocking a second percentage of the total flow area different from the first percentage to control the flow of the mixture of air and combustible fuel through the fluid directing structure from the first end to the second end of the tube to be ignited.

Abstract: A fluid directing structure for a direct fired appliance having a heating space, a burner for providing heat to the heating space, and an exhaust includes a duct. The duct includes a first passage extending from a first end adjacent the burner to a second end fluidly connected to the exhaust. A second passage extends from a first end fluidly connected to the first passage to a second end fluidly connected to the heating space. A damper is connected to the duct and has a first condition directing fluid flow from the first end of the first passage to the second end of the first passage while preventing fluid flow to the second passage. The damper has a second condition directing fluid flow from the first end of the first passage to the second passage while preventing fluid flow to the second end of the first passage.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A flow control device for an appliance including a burner and a blower for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and gas to the burner includes a flange defining an opening through which the pre-mixed mixture of air and gas flows from an outlet of the blower to the burner. A damper plate is provided in the opening downstream of the blower for increasing a static pressure at the outlet of the blower during ignition of the burner.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an appliance having a burner includes at least one tubular heat exchanger section extending from an inlet end aligned with the burner and an outlet end. The inlet end includes a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter greater than the first diameter.